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96
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
The promotion by the London County Council, at the request of the
Metropolitan Borough Councils, of a Bill embodying proposals relating to
food legislation, was the most important feature in this branch of public
health administration during the year. A summary of these proposals
is given below. It should be noted that most of these proposals for
London were already enacted for certain provincial cities some years ago.
Those which deal with registration have the object of bringing certain
other food premises within similar standards to those which have been
applied to dairies and milkshops for many years. In certain districts of
London, premises for the sale of ice cream, potted and preserved meats
were observed to be conducted in a manner likely to encourage contamination
of food both in regard to premises as well as to methods. It was
therefore considered that requirements incidental to registration would
prevent those who do not make any attempt to conduct their businesses
in a clean and wholesome manner from causing danger to the public health.
To the vast majority of traders registration is automatic. They need have
no apprehensions. The main provisions of the Bill may thus be
summarized:—
L.C.C. General Powers Bill, 1932—Part III.
During the autumn a great deal of work was done in preparing reports
and evidence in connection with the public health part of this Bill. Powers
are sought in the Bill to :—
(1) Refuse Registration or remove from the Register Ice Cream
premises. Certain premises to be exempted while factories
will be included.
(2) Register premises where cooked and potted meats and fish and
other preserved food is sold. Likewise to refuse registration
or remove such premises from the register. Certain premises
are exempt.
(3) Require notification of cases of food poisoning or suspected cases
of food poisoning.
(4) Make By-laws for promoting sanitary and cleanly conditions
in the manufacture, preparation, storage, transport or exposure
for sale of any article intended to be sold for food.
(5) Apply Section 47 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, to
food exhibited or given away as prizes at public gatherings.
At the present time unsound food can be seized only if it is
prepared or stored for sale or exposed for sale, etc.